Christopher Luxon and David Seymour wary as Winston Peters explores saving Moana Pasifika rugby franchise

National and Act are expressing caution at the prospect of further public money being devoted to the Moana Pasifika rugby franchise, which has been placed in liquidation.

It follows Foreign Minister and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters holding talks with Pacific leaders, which included discussions about the struggling franchise’s future and resulted in urgent engagement between Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials and New Zealand Rugby to “explore all possible options”.

Last week, Sport Minister Mark Mitchell confirmed he had asked officials for advice regarding the recovery of the Crown’s $3 million loan to Moana Pasifika, of which $2.75m was outstanding.

It came after Peters had hinted at “good news” regarding the franchise’s future, later adding that a possible proposal could involve private and public financial support.

Moana Pasifika was placed in liquidation last week, with an initial liquidator’s report expected this week. Its debts include the Crown loan.

Mitchell last week couldn’t say how likely it was the Government could recover the loan.

“I don’t know, I’d have to wait for that advice to come back to me.”

Peters yesterday issued a statement after his visit to Samoa, where he met with the Samoan and Tongan Prime Ministers and discussed the franchise.

“Rugby is a huge part of New Zealand and Polynesian culture – and Moana Pasifika’s future is important to the governments and people of Samoa and Tonga, as well as to New Zealand’s Pacific communities and rugby fans,” Peters said.

“We indicated to Prime Ministers La’aulialemalietoa and Lord Fakafanua that New Zealand shares Samoa and Tonga’s aspiration that Moana Pasifika can continue to play in future seasons.

“Accordingly, we have instructed our officials to engage with NZ Rugby and other stakeholders with urgency to explore all possible options for a financially sustainable future for Moana Pasifika.”

Speaking to Newstalk ZB this morning, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was open to Peters having “a little look at it”, but appeared lukewarm on another investment.

“There [are] three things: one is taxpayers, I don’t think [they] really want the New Zealand Government funding a professional sports team; two, we’ve put $4m into it already, the Labour Government put that in and we’ve lost that and then thirdly, I think there’s probably better uses for the funds and it would need Cabinet approval.

“Now if there [are] other things we can do around regulatory stuff or facilitation type stuff, let’s have a look at that but I just don’t think there’s much appetite.”

Asked if his response could be interpreted as a “hard no”, Luxon said any proposal would have to clear a “pretty damn high hurdle”.

A spokesperson for Act reiterated the importance of New Zealand’s relationship with the Pacific but said any proposal had to “stack up”.

“Act will be looking closely at whether there is a sustainable proposition here, rather than simply putting good money after bad.”

Adam Pearse is the Deputy Political Editor and part of the NZ Herald’s Press Gallery team based at Parliament in Wellington. He has worked for NZME since 2018, reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei and the Herald in Auckland.